INDECISIVENESS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does indecisiveness mean? 

• INDECISIVENESS (noun)
  The noun INDECISIVENESS has 2 senses:

1. doubt concerning two or more possible alternatives or courses of action

2. the trait of irresolution; a lack of firmness of character or purpose

  Familiarity information: INDECISIVENESS used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INDECISIVENESS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Doubt concerning two or more possible alternatives or courses of action

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

indecision; indecisiveness; irresolution

Context example:

his indecision was only momentary but the opportunity was lost

Hypernyms ("indecisiveness" is a kind of...):

doubt; doubtfulness; dubiety; dubiousness; incertitude; uncertainty (the state of being unsure of something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "indecisiveness"):

hesitation; vacillation; wavering (indecision in speech or action)

Derivation:

indecisive (characterized by lack of decision and firmness)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The trait of irresolution; a lack of firmness of character or purpose

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

indecision; indecisiveness

Context example:

the king's incurable indecisiveness caused turmoil in his court

Hypernyms ("indecisiveness" is a kind of...):

irresoluteness; irresolution (the trait of being irresolute; lacking firmness of purpose)

Antonym:

decisiveness (the trait of resoluteness as evidenced by firmness of character or purpose)

Derivation:

indecisive (characterized by lack of decision and firmness)

 Context examples 

The indecisiveness, or feebleness, of his movements was more pronounced.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)